Full name: Phạm Thị Thanh Bình
[Link]: 2113140005
MINI TEST 1.1
(Time allowed: 25 minutes)
What are the conclusion, reasons and issue in the following passages?
MS: main reason
Passage 1.
Schools all around the nation are forming community service programs. Should students be
required to do community service? There are many drawbacks to requiring such service.
Students will not be able to understand the concept of charity and benevolence if it is
something they have to do. Forced charity seems contradictory to the concept of charity. If
this concept loses value for the students because the service was not a choice, they will then
resent the idea of community service and not volunteer to do so at a later time in life.
Furthermore, because this community service would be coerced, the students may not
perform at a high level. They may feel they will do the bare minimum of what is required.
The students may also be resentful or rude to the people they are helping, which would also
hamper the progress of the community service. As you can see, forced community service
may not be the best programming choice for schools.
Issue: Should students be required to do community service?
Conclusion: Forced community service may not be the best programming choice for schools.
Reasons: There are many drawbacks to requiring such service (MS)
Students will not be able to understand the concept of charity and benevolence if it is
something they have to do.
o Forced charity seems contradictory to the concept of charity.
o If this concept loses value for the students because the service was not a choice,
they will then resent the idea of community service and not volunteer to do so at
a later time in life.
Furthermore, because this community service would be coerced, the students may not
perform at a high level.
o They may feel they will do the bare minimum of what is required.
The students may also be resentful or rude to the people they are helping, which
would also hamper the progress of the community service.
Passage 2.
Why shouldn’t 18-year-olds be permitted to consume alcohol? 18-yearolds are permitted to
do all other things that 21-year-olds do: vote, enroll in the war, drive a vehicle, and live on
their own.
Issue: Why shouldn’t 18-year-olds be permitted to consume alcohol?
Conclusion: 18-year-olds should be permitted to consume alcohol.
Reasons: 18-yearolds are permitted to do all other things that 21-year-olds do: vote, enroll in
the war, drive a vehicle, and live on their own.
Passage 3.
Campaigns for national office are getting out of hand. Money is playing a central role in more
and more elections. The average winner in a senate race now spends over $8 million on his or
her campaign, while typical presidential candidates spend more than $300 million. It is time
for some serious changes, because we cannot simply allow politicians to buy their seats
through large expenditures on advertisements.
Issue: Is it time to make changes to campaigns for national office?
Conclusion: It is time for some serious changes to campaigns for national office.
Reasons: Campaigns for national office are getting out of hand. (MR)
Money is playing a central role in more and more elections.
o The average winner in a senate race now spends over $8 million on his or her
campaign, while typical presidential candidates spend more than $300 million.
We cannot simply allow politicians to buy their seats through large expenditures on
advertisements.
Passage 4.
The home is becoming a more dangerous place to spend time. The number of home-related
injuries is on the rise. In 2000, approximately 2,300 children aged 14 and under died from
accidents in the home. Also, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. To make
matters worse, even television, a relatively safe household appliance, is becoming dangerous.
In fact, 42,000 people are injured by televisions and television stands each year. With so
many accidents in the home, perhaps people need to start spending more time outdoors.
Issue: Do people need to start spending more time outdoors?
Conclusion: People need to start spending more time outdoors.
Reasons: The home is becoming a more dangerous place to spend time. (MS)
The number of home-related injuries is on the rise:
o In 2000, approximately 2,300 children aged 14 and under died from accidents in
the home.
o Also, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year.
o Even television, a relatively safe household appliance, is becoming dangerous.
o 42,000 people are injured by televisions and television stands each year.
Passage 5.
Should the public be shown actual courtroom trials on television? It seems as though the
system can easily be corrupted by having cameras in the courtroom. Victims are hesitant
enough when testifying in front of a small crowd, but their knowledge that every word is
being sent to countless homes would increase the likelihood that they would simply refuse to
testify. There is little to no assumed innocence for the accused when their trial is put on
television. People do not watch court television because they are concerned about our
country's ability to effectively carry out the proceedings of the judicial system; instead, they
are looking for the drama in witness testimony: entertainment. Thus, leave the cameras out of
the courtrooms, and let the public view sitcom drama based off of the legal system.
Issue: Should the public be shown actual courtroom trials on television?
Conclusion: They shouldn’t be shown actual courtroom trials on TV.
Reasons:
It seems as though the system can easily be corrupted by having cameras in the
courtroom.
o Victims are hesitant enough when testifying in front of a small crowd, but
their knowledge that every word is being sent to countless homes would
increase the likelihood that they would simply refuse to testify.
o There is little to no assumed innocence for the accused when their trial is put
on television.
People do not watch court television because they are concerned about our country's
ability to effectively carry out the proceedings of the judicial system; instead, they are
looking for the drama in witness testimony: entertainment.
